The gates of Konoha loom ahead, familiar and golden in the afternoon light, and you’re exhausted, with dirt-caked boots, stiff shoulders, and the lingering ache of a wound you haven’t let anyone look at just yet. All you want is your bed, maybe a bath, a quiet night—

But then he’s there.

Naruto barrels toward you so fast you think he’s going to tackle you to the ground. His arms wrap around you tight — too tight—and your face is crushed into the crook of his neck, where he smells like soap and sweat and something sweet, like tangerine peel.

“I missed you,” Naruto breathes, like it’s painful. “I missed you so bad, baby.”

You laugh, muffled against him. “You saw me off four days ago.”

“Yeah, well, four days is a long time,” he huffs, arms not budging, his nose buried in your hair now. “Especially when I can’t even sleep in my bed ‘cause it smells like you but not enough like you.”

You try to shift, to pull back and look at him, but he whines breathily — whines —and clings tighter. “Nope. Not letting go yet. You could’ve died.”

“I didn’t die.”

“But you could’ve,” he mutters, voice trembling slightly. “I kept thinking about it. Kept thinking, what if you don’t come back this time, what if I have to wake up alone forever and—”

“Naruto.” You tilt your head back, finally meeting his eyes. They’re so blue it aches. “I’m here. I’m okay.”

Naruto’s mouth twitches. His hands soften on your waist, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he kisses your forehead. Then your nose. Then your cheeks, each one, slow and reverent, like he has to prove to himself you’re real.

“I know,” he whispers into your hair. “I know. You’re deadly and strong and could whoop my ass but fuck I miss you when you’re gone,” Naruto murmurs as his lips press down your jaw, breathy and needy, making your lashes flutter.

“Four days and I’m so stupid for you,” Naruto breathes, but there isn’t a hint of complaint in his voice as his mouth drags over your throat, a low rumble in his chest despite you tasting like sweat and dirt from your mission, mouthing at your skin as his bubbly emotions slip into something needier now that you’re back in his space, in his grasp. He’s never known how to not hold on tight to something he loves — you included.